Club History

Formed in 1970

Our History

Cougars Rugby is an active and successful rugby union club based at Griffith Park, Long Reef on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

From humble beginnings in 1970, the club is now home to 250+ players, fielding teams from Under 6’s to 18’s and a Golden Oldies team of dads. Collaroy Rugby has a strong following and enjoys the goodwill of thousands more from former years.

The club is driven by the needs of its players and fills an important role in the community. Our sport inspires passion, teamwork and fitness – our club fosters a strong set of values that promote sportsmanship, respect, lasting friendships and community. While we boast a fine track record of performance on the field, no differences are drawn between players on the basis of talent, background or privilege and each wears our black and white jumper with a sense of belonging and pride.

These values have seen the club grow, outstripping others to become the second largest Warringah Junior District Club and a key feeder club to representative teams.

Future years will see many follow in the footsteps of former players such as Rod Macqueen, Steve Temple, Steve Crawford, Rick Davidson, Geoff Wayling, Greg Highfield, John Hearne, Mark Gerrard, Ed Doyle, Pat McCabe, Dave Feltscheer, Boyd Killingworth and Haydn Black who have all played first grade rugby with the ‘Rats’.

The club is proud to have two of these players become Wallabies who played junior rugby with the Cougars – Mark Gerrard and Pat McCabe. Another Cougars Junior, Boyd Killingworth has also gone on to represent Australia at Sevens Rugby.

The club is self-funding and applies its modest surplus funds to subsidising player registration fees, social events, and an annual family picnic and ‘fathers & sons’ weekend at the NSW Sports Academy at Narrabeen Lake.

This approach has seen Collaroy emerge as a most popular club appealing to players and families alike. It provides strong testimony to our values and the tireless work of our Committee and the mums and dads who coach and manage our teams, run the canteen, fundraise and produce our newsletters. Collaroy Rugby plays a vital role in giving local children the fun and passion of competing in a world sport, as well as strong community values, personal pride and lasting friendships.

Past Presidents

1970 - 1971

Ross Dawson

1972

George Beard

1973 - 1976

Harry Andersoon

1977 - 1978

Bruce Ferry

1979 - 1980

John Rogers-Falk

1981 - 1984

Neville Romain

1985 - 1986

Allan Gowen

1987

Ray Cook

1988 - 1989

Allan Gowen

1990 - 1992

Paul White

1993

Paul Tocchini

1994

Peter McFadyen

1995 - 1997

Tim Helman

1998 - 2001

Greg Black

2002 - 2004

Craig Marsh

2005 - 2008

Greg Broome

2009 - 2010

Barry MunckeJasmin Hadzipasic

2011 - 2013

Barry Muncke

2014 - 2015

Graham Davies

2016 -

Alistair Keep

Collaroy Plateau Youth Club

How it all started

Prior to 1970 rugby was played on the plateau through the Collaroy Plateau Youth Club. The greater percentage of fund raising activities was carried out by the rugby fraternity and then pooled with other sporting activities within the youth club. In 1970 a few visionaries thought that the players were getting to the age when they should be involved with afternoon rugby. Much to the disapproval of the officials of the Youth Club.

A meeting was called and held at the Youth Club to discuss the situation and indeed the future of rugby on the plateau. Seventy five people attended that meeting and it was unanimously decided that rugby should breakaway from the Youth Club and so The Collaroy Plateau Rugby Football Club, a.k.a The Cougars, was born.

Rebuilding

The '90s

In 1991 after a lot of hardwork the club bounded back to prominence with a squad of under 17s (26 players), seventeen of whom represented Warringah Juniors in under 16s and under 17s. Nine players were selected in the Sydney under 17s, four in the NSW under 17s and one player was selected in the inaugural under 16s Australian side.

Also that year The Cougars had an under 10s team from which seven players were chosen to represent Warringah and an under 9s team that won the Warringah Junior Shield. All of 1991’s efforts culminated in the club being awarded the “Allan Gowen Challenge Shield” presented by Warringah Juniors to the most successful club.

Our Clubhouse

After many years of fundraising, concept designs and approaches to Council by many dedicated club committee members, success was finally achieved with the construction of what’s known as the Multi User Sports Amenities Building at Griffith Park.

We call it our Cougars clubhouse, as during the winter it’s the home of rugby for all our teams and supporters as we train, play and socialise.

Rugby partially funded the development, with our modest means, together with major contributors such as the Long Reef Golf Club, Warringah Council and Government Grants. The entire MUSAB is shared by Long Reef Golf Club Pro Shop and the community, with Rugby having a license agreement to occupy and use the community section(western side) during the winter.

Ultimately the successful development of this shared facility came about due to the vision and cooperation of some key people and organisations, such as Rod Macqueen, John Mullins, Long Reef Golf Club, Warringah Council and Collaroy Rugby Club.

It will be the home of the mighty Cougars for years to come as the club continues to provide the opportunity for young rugby players to have fun and develop their skills.

Premierships

About Us

From humble beginnings in 1970, the Collaroy 'Cougars' Rugby Club is home to hundreds of players. Collaroy Rugby's home is the scenic Griffith Park, Long Reef and has a loyal following of parents and supporters, many having played for the club in the past.